195. When the Body Remembers: Psychosensory Healing, Play Therapy & the Wisdom Within with Kim Barthel

She’s back—and the energy in the room just elevated. In one of the most moving and illuminating episodes to date, Lisa Dion reunites with internationally renowned occupational therapist, author, and teacher Kim Barthel—one of the most beloved guests in the podcast’s history.

Together, they take us deep into the world of psycho-sensory interventions, a term Kim coined decades ago during a pivotal moment that forever changed her clinical approach. Through a powerful real-life case study, this conversation explores how the body holds the story of trauma, how sensation can unlock memory, and why true healing happens when we integrate the mind, body, and play.

Through their dual lenses—Lisa’s Synergetic Play Therapy perspective and Kim’s expertise in sensory integration, posture, and neurobiology—they reflect on working together with a young client whose developmental trauma was revealed not only through his play, but through his body, his relationships, and the clinician’s own internal experience. You’ll also hear about Kim’s early work with children on the streets of Winnipeg, the origin of psycho-sensory work, and how her interdisciplinary lens continues to evolve after 40+ years of practice.

This episode will invite you to:

• Track what the body is telling you through posture, breath, and muscle tone
• See play as only one part of the unfolding story—because the story lives in the body
• Tune into the relational field and your own body as a source of insight
• Slow down and meet your clients where they are developmentally and neurologically
• Embrace an embodied approach to healing that honors both the child’s and the therapist’s nervous systems

✨ Whether you’re a seasoned play therapist, an OT, or simply curious about trauma-informed care, this conversation will expand your lens, deepen your embodiment, and remind you that healing isn’t something we do to a child—it’s something that unfolds when we trust the wisdom of the body.

Take a breath, drop into your own body, and press play. You won’t want to miss this one.